Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West

Join us for the latest episode of Let’s Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West! We sit down with Scott Page, Jackie Slaugenhaupt, and Lauren Broyles from the Teetotal Initiative, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit dedicated to creating inclusive, sober-focused programming that helps individuals sustain sobriety. This is just the first half of our conversation—don’t miss it! Learn more about the Teet...

In this episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West , we sit down with Dr. Amanda J. Mclearn-Montz, a dedicated Triple Board resident (pediatrics, psychiatry, and child psychiatry) at the University of Utah. With firsthand experience providing care in rural communities, Dr. Mclearn-Montz dives into the unique challenges and rewards of working in these spaces. She also shares wh...

In this episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West, we sit down with Drs. Brendan Saloner and Bradley Stein fresh off their visit to Salt Lake City. Join us as we dive into their latest research, the key policy levers they’re pulling to drive change, and what their work means for the future of drug policy. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on the intersection of research...

In this episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West, we’re celebrating two exciting returns—the much-anticipated Addiction Health Services Research (AHSR) Conference AND the return of our amazing co-host, Priscilla Blosser! You can learn more about AHSR 2026 at tinyurl.com/parckaahsr. This podcast comes from the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Program of Addiction Research, Clinica...

In this episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West, Rachael Ross, PhD tells us about her recent visit to the University of Utah, her skiing on Utah slopes, and where she would like to see her research grow. This podcast comes from the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The mission...

In this episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West we learn all about Fit To Recover, a local community center that helps people in recovery connect with one another and seek balance in their lives. You can learn even more about Fit To Recover at fit2recover.org . This podcast comes from the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advo...

Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West is back! In this episode, we are joined by Ashley White and Brady Groneman. We talk about all things self-agency, from self-awareness to autonomy in the workplace. This podcast comes from the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The mission of PARCKA is to pr...

For our last episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West of 2024, we talk about ways to give the gift of support to ourselves and others during the holiday season. We wish you all happy holidays and look forward to new episodes in 2025! Resources: Need to talk to someone? (Warmlines) HMHI Addiction Recovery Services Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness - USARA Find A.A. Ne...

In this episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West, we are joined by Sadie Gabler, Director of the Office of Research Participant Advocacy at the University of Utah. We hear about the threats that come with a lack of inclusion, specifically among LGBTQIA+ youth, and how we can create proactive and inclusive research. This podcast comes from the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Add...

In this episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West, we are joined by Emma Smith, PhD from King's College, London. We talk with Dr. Smith about her recent visit to the University of Utah and what she will be bringing back to her work in the UK. This podcast comes from the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA)⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

In this episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West, we are joined by Liz Spencer from the University of Utah's Recovery at the U program with the Center for Campus Wellness. Liz originally spoke with us in August of 2023, and we wanted to take this chance to revisit RU's many services and if they could embrace the future directions they were headed in ( spoiler, they did ). To lea...

In this episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West, we hear from Kate Rean, MD, about strategies for the safer use of cannabis. Dr. Rean joins us from the VA Puget Sound’s Addiction Treatment Center, where she is the lead psychiatrist of general addictions, co-occurring disorders, and women's programming. This podcast comes from the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research...

In this episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West, we are joined by Elizabeth Howell, MD, MS to learn more about Acudetox, its history, and its many benefits. To learn more about Utah Acudetox, and to get notified about upcoming trainings, visit their website at www.utahacudetox.com . This podcast comes from the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Know...

Happy Halloween Eve! In this episode of Let’s Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West, we take you back to earlier this month and listen in on our most recent PARCKA Parley! For this Parley, we were joined by Max Radecky, a Harm Reduction Specialist with the Odyssey House of Utah’s Martindale Clinic. Max shares the services the Martindale Clinic Harm Reduction Program offers and how to promote...

In this episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West, we are joined by PARCKA's very own Ashley White, CMHC. Ashley shares with us about her recent trip to Christchurch, New Zealand where she attended the Training New Trainers intensive and forum with the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). To learn even more about MINT, visit motivationalinterviewing.org . The Soa...

In this episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West, we are joined by Jalene Uryuralria Herron, PhD, from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Herron shares with us the power of healing, whether that be healing yourself, those around you, or your communities. This podcast comes from the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

In this episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West, we talk with Jennifer Sharpe Potter, PhD, MPH from the University of Texas San Antonio. Dr. Potter shares her experiences in becoming an addiction health services researcher, how to have more empathy and joy in our work, and tell us many of the services offered by Be Well, Texas and the Addiction Research, Treatment, and Training...

After a short break, Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West is back! In this episode, we take you to our program's monthly seminar series, PARCKA Parleys, to hear from Lyen C. Huang, MD, MPH, FACS, FASCRS, about his research in promoting the safe disposal and storage of prescription opioids after surgery. You can learn more about PARCKA Parleys and watch this talk and many others at tiny...

In this episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West, we are joined by Charlie Johnson, CMHC, a Therapist and Program Manager with the Volunteers of America (VOA) Utah's Family Counseling Center . Charlie shares with us just some of the services VOA Utah offers, how he stands for and with clients, and the importance of resource sharing. Learn more about VOA Utah's annual...

In this episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West, we are joined by Jami Baayd, MSPH, a Research Development Specialist from the University of Utah's Division of Family Planning. Jami shares her experience conducting qualitative maternal health research and how that experience now supports her as she enters the SUD research world. This podcast comes from the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ P...

In this episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West , we talk about some of the addiction-related news that our hosts have come across this summer. Please find a complete list of the articles that we used for this episode below: 8 things to know about the drug known as 'gas station heroin The Five Big Drug Trends Defining Summer 2024 How big is Europe’s cocaine problem – an...

This podcast is so brat. In today's episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West, we are joined by Melissa Tyszko to celebrate brat summer and explore new and unique ways to start conversations around substance use. This podcast comes from the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . The mission of PARCKA is to prom...

In this episode, we are joined by Erin Johnson, PhD to learn more about the ELEVATE Project, her experience in joining SUD research, and more! To join ELEVATE's Brown Bag Lunches, email Dr. Johnson at erin.p.johnson@hsc.utah.edu . This podcast comes from the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . The mission of PARCKA is to promote an...

In this episode of  Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West, our hosts are joined by Britnee Sengpraseut and Dylan Dusoe to share stories of recovery, family, and friendship (both old and new). This podcast comes from the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . The mission of PARCKA is to promote and provide addiction related re...

In this episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West , we are joined by Jenna Murray, MPH, an MD and PhD student at the University of Utah. We get to hear about her powerful recovery experience, navigate the power of sharing our own stories, and learn more about the CEREMONY Project with ⁠Sacred Circle Healthcare⁠ . This podcast comes from the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Researc...